Protection member for suitcases

ABSTRACT

A protection member for suitcases is an elongate body having a groove defined in a first side of the body so that the protection member is stitched to the rear face of the suitcase along the groove. The first side of the body is a convex surface which protrudes from the periphery of the body so that when the suitcase hits an object which hits the convex surface first and the protection member is deformed to absorb the impact force.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection member that is made of durable and flexible material and stitched to a side of the suitcase. The protection member includes a convex surface which absorbs pressure when the suitcase hits a hard object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional suitcase 1 is shown in FIG. 1 and generally includes a frame 11 that defines a shape of the suitcase 1 and a side face 10 made of foam material connected to a front side of the frame 11. A fabric unit 12 is wrapped around the frame 11 and includes a peripheral portion 120 and a rear fabric portion 121 connected to a rear side of the frame 11. Four caster units 14 are connected to an underside of the suitcase 1 and a retractable handle 13 is connected to an outside of the rear fabric portion 121. Referring to FIG. 2, because the rear fabric portion 121 is a soft large area so that if a rock or hard object hits the rear side of the suitcase 1, the contents in the suitcase could be damaged.

[0003] The present invention intends to provide a protection member connected to the outside of the rear fabric portion and includes a convex surface so as to absorb impact force to protect the contents in the suitcase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protection member for suitcases and the protection member is an elongate body that is stitched to the rear face of the suitcase. A plurality of holes are defined through the body so as to allow rivets extending through the holes and fixed to the suitcase. A first side of the body is a convex surface which protrudes from a periphery of the body.

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a protection member that is attached to the suitcase and includes convex surface which is deformed when hit by object to protect the contents in the suitcase.

[0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view to show a conventional suitcase wherein the rear fabric portion of the suitcase hits on an object;

[0008]FIG. 2 shows the contents in the suitcase is broken due to the impact by the object;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view to show the suitcase with the protection members of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view to show the protection member of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view to show the protection member of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 6 shows the suitcase hits on an object, and

[0013]FIG. 7 shows the protection members are deformed to absorb the impact force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the protection member 2 of the present invention is an elongate body which has a groove 20 defined in a first side of the body and located along a periphery of the body. Two holes 22 are defined through the body and the holes 22 can be stepped sink holes so that the elongate body can be fixed to the rear face 40 of the suitcase 4 by using rivets 3 or bolts extending through the holes 22, the rear face 40 and fixedly connected to the board 5 located beneath the rear face 40. The stepped sink holes 22 allow the head of the rivets 3 to be in flush with the surface of the protection member 2. The grove 20 may receive stitch lines to sew the body to the rear face 40 of the suitcase 4.

[0015] The first side of the body is a convex surface 21 which protrudes from the periphery of the body so that as shown in FIG. 7, when the back of the suitcase 4 hits on a rock 6, the convex surface 21 contacts the rock 6 first and could be deformed to absorb the impact force. If the impact force is larger than the deformation of the convex surface 21, the board 5 can bear the rest of the impact force to protect the contents in the suitcase 4.

[0016] The protection member 2 can be made by durable and flexible material that provides sufficient stiffness and flexibility to keep the impact force from damaging the suitcase 4.

[0017] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protection member for suitcases having a rear face which is attached to a board, the protection member comprising: an elongate body adapted to be fixed to the rear face of the suitcase, a plurality of holes defined through the body and adapted to receive rivets therethrough, a first side of the body being a convex surface which protrudes from a periphery of the body.
 2. The protection member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holes are stepped sink holes.
 3. The protection member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first side of the body has a groove defined along the periphery of the body. 